System and method for securely controlling operation and configuration of an electronic game having virtual refills

Abstract

A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a passcode for activating plays on the electronic game terminal generated by an electronic game service provider computer, wherein the passcode is generated based, at least in part, on a unique electronic game terminal identifier; 
 entering the passcode into a control component operating on a game processor for the electronic game terminal; 
 automatically setting, by the game processor, a maximum number of electronic games that can be played at each of a plurality of levels of play before the electronic game terminal is deactivated, wherein each level of play represents a different monetary denomination; 
 dynamically determining, by the game processor, a number of games remaining on the electronic game terminal for a plurality of players at each of the plurality of levels of play following each play of the electronic game, wherein the number of games remaining at each level of play varies nonlinearly based on a cumulative number of games previously played at each level of play; 
 automatically deactivating the electronic game terminal, by the game processor, if there are no games remaining to be played; 
 sending a request for a new passcode to the electronic game service provider computer to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal, the request including the unique electronic game terminal identifier; 
 determining a fee to charge for each refill of electronic game plays based upon an accrued license fee for the plurality of games played at each level of play during a preceding license period; and 
 receiving a new passcode generated based, at least in part, on the unique electronic game terminal identifier for reactivating game plays on the electronic game terminal, from the electronic game service provider, wherein the new passcode, when entered into the control component, can automatically enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. 
 
     
     
       2. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 1  further comprising setting a plurality of levels of play that can be selected by a player. 
     
     
       3. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 1  wherein the step of dynamically determining the number of games remaining for the plurality of players comprises weighting the number of plays that have been previously selected by the plurality of players at each level of play. 
     
     
       4. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 1  wherein the request for a new passcode further includes a fixed numeric code that is generated by the game processor upon an initial activation of plays on the electronic game terminal. 
     
     
       5. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 4  wherein the fixed numeric code generated by a pseudo-random number generator operating on the game processor and is provided for each subsequent refill request to uniquely identify the electronic game terminal. 
     
     
       6. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 1  wherein the unique electronic game terminal identifier is entered into a passcode-generating algorithm operating on the electronic game service provider computer. 
     
     
       7. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 1  wherein the new passcode is transmitted to the electronic game terminal electronically. 
     
     
       8. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 1  wherein the step of entering a new passcode into the control component enables activation of a non-monetary award game option. 
     
     
       9. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 8  wherein a user interface of the electronic game terminal enables the game operator to enter at least one factor that controls when the electronic game terminal can award a non-monetary award. 
     
     
       10. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 8  wherein the non-monetary award comprises one or more prizes. 
     
     
       11. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 9  wherein the at least one factor comprises a contribution percentage of a denomination of play to add to a prize award escrow account. 
     
     
       12. A system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, comprising:
 a memory for storing a plurality of components for operating an electronic game; 
 a game processor for generating a game display on the electronic game terminal, the game processor executing the plurality of components comprising: 
 a component for receiving a passcode for activating plays on the electronic game terminal generated by an electronic game service provider_computer, wherein the passcode is generated based, at least in part, on a unique electronic game terminal identifier; 
 a component for entering the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal; 
 a component for automatically setting a maximum number of electronic games that can be played at each of a plurality of levels of play before the electronic game terminal is deactivated, wherein each level of play represents a different monetary denomination; 
 a component for dynamically determining a number of games remaining on the electronic game terminal for a plurality of players at each of the plurality of levels of play following each play of the electronic game, wherein the number of games remaining at each level of play varies nonlinearly based on a cumulative number of games previously played at each level of play; 
 a component for automatically deactivating the electronic game terminal if there are no games remaining to be played; 
 a component for sending a request for a new passcode to the electronic game service provider computer to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal, the request including the unique electronic game terminal identifier; 
 a component for receiving a new passcode generated based, at least in part, on the unique electronic game terminal identifier for reactivating game plays on the electronic game terminal, wherein the new passcode, when entered into the control component, can automatically enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game; and 
 a component for determining a fee to charge for each refill of electronic game plays based upon an accrued license fee for the plurality of games played at each level of play during a preceding license period. 
 
     
     
       13. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 12  further comprising a component for setting a plurality of levels of play that can be selected by a player. 
     
     
       14. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 12  wherein the component for dynamically determining the number of games remaining for the plurality of players comprises a module for weighting the number of plays that have been previously selected by the plurality of players at each level of play. 
     
     
       15. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 12  wherein the request for a new passcode further includes a fixed numeric code that is generated by the game processor upon an initial activation of plays on the electronic game terminal. 
     
     
       16. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 15  wherein the fixed numeric code is generated by a pseudo-random number generator operating on the game processor and is provided for each subsequent refill request to uniquely identify the electronic game terminal. 
     
     
       17. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 12  wherein the unique electronic game terminal identifier is entered into a passcode-generating algorithm operating on the electronic game service provider computer. 
     
     
       18. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 12  wherein the new passcode is transmitted to the electronic game terminal electronically. 
     
     
       19. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 12  wherein the component for entering a new passcode into the control component enables activation of a non-monetary award game option. 
     
     
       20. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 19  further comprises a user interface that enables the game operator to enter at least one factor that controls when the electronic game terminal can award a non-monetary award. 
     
     
       21. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 19  wherein the non-monetary award comprises one or more prizes. 
     
     
       22. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal of  claim 20  wherein the at least one factor comprises a contribution percentage of a denomination of play to add to a prize award escrow account.